India vs Sri Lanka: Virat Kohli starts the new year with 45th ODI hundred | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: Batting maestro Virat Kohli continued his good run with the bat and started the new year with a sensational hundred against Sri Lanka in the opening one-day international of the three-game series in Guwahati on Tuesday. Kohli ran to his 45th ODI hundred in just 80 balls with the help of a six and 10 fours.
It was the second consecutive ODI hundred for Kohli after finishing 2022 with a stunning 113 from 91 against Bangladesh at Chattogram on December 10. And Tuesday’s hundred took his combined international total to 73.
“I had a little break and a few training sessions before this game, so I was fresh after this tour in Bangladesh. I was excited for the start of the season at home,” Kohli said during the break. sleeves.

The former captain’s 113, from 87 balls, propelled India to a whopping 373/7 against the visitors. Rohit Sharma (83 out of 67) and Shubman Gill (70 from 60) was also a big contributor for the hosts as the duo netted 143 runs for the opening wicket in just 19.4 overs.
Kohli acknowledged the contribution of the fly-half and said: “The fly-half got me into the game and I tried to control my shot rate. I was happy I was able to keep up the pace and we did. finished with 370.”
Kohli’s dagger-and-dagger ended in the 49th innings of the Indian innings, when the wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis ran to the square leg to hold the hold. Kohli went for a sweep Kasun Ranjitha but only managed to gain a superior advantage.
Kohli also survived a few catches during the innings, and the running machine said luck played a part in such shots.

“I would take these (missed opportunities) any day. Luck plays a big part, you have to thank God on such nights. These nights are important, quite aware of that. I’m grateful to have made the most of it. of this chance that was presented to me. I helped the team to do 20 more races, instead of 350.
“It will be the same. Someone will have to score a 150 or 140 to chase that. But it also gives our bowlers a chance to play with the dew that comes in. I’m fully aware of what I’m eating , my diet is the most important thing at this age. It keeps me in top shape. It helps me give 100% for the team,” added Kohli.
It was Kohli’s ninth century against the Lankans, making him the batter with the most centuries against them in the ODIs. One more than big hitter Sachin Tendulkar against the Islanders.
Kohli also equaled Tendulkar’s record of most hundred ODIs in a country, as the shot was his 20th in India. Kohli won the rematch in 99 innings at home, while the “Master Blaster” played 160 innings in India.